Though vintage Warren Platner chairs, sofas and interiors are icons of mid-century modernism, the architect and furniture designer took his stylistic inspiration from as far back as 18th-century France, once saying about his seminal collection for Knoll that his design intent was to evoke “the kind of decorative, gentle, graceful kind of design that appeared in period style like Louis XV.”
Indeed, the marriage of modern sensibility and classical grace is a marker of Platner’s style across furnishings and interiors — both genres in which he left an enduring legacy.
Born in 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland, Platner studied architecture at Cornell before cutting his teeth working for design icons like Eero Saarinen and Kevin Roche, eventually serving as head of interior design in the latter’s office. In 1965, Platner opened his own office, in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he continued to hone his particular brand of graceful modernism.
Knoll released the Platner Collection of seating and tables in 1966. (Originally designed in 1962, the suite took nearly four years of development to bring to life.)
The decorative bent-metal-and-glass pieces — an armchair, a dining table and more — make certain nods to the trademarks of his former employers, but also to the shapes of historic European furniture. The sculptural elegance of his line recalls Saarinen’s iconic Tulip collection, which includes armchairs and dining tables, while his materiality aligns with Roche’s cutting-edge use of glass and metal for the headquarters of the Ford Foundation in New York.
Many of Platner’s Knoll pieces would go on to find homes in a certain fabled locale: the Windows on the World restaurant at the original World Trade Center, whose interiors Platner was tapped to outfit in the mid-1970s. Upon the opening of the restaurant in 1976, New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger dubbed its style “sensuous modernism” — an apt tagline for Platner’s oeuvre as a whole.
Platner died in 2006 at the age of 86. His furniture is still produced by Knoll, and original examples — along with idiosyncratic custom works he created for interior design clients — are coveted by collectors today.
Find vintage Warren Platner furniture on 1stDibs.
Warren Platner for Knoll Wire Ottoman
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized steel wire ottoman in bouclé, designed by Warren Platner for his namesake Platner collection for Knoll. Now a Classic modern form that is at once Industrial and organic. Up...
Steel
Warren Platner Large Stool or Ottoman Bronze Finish Ivory Boucle Fabric Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Scale Stool or Ottoman, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, American, circa 1960s. It is executed in a bronze finish metal and has been recently reupholstered in an ivory col...
Metal
Warren Platner Ottomans/Stools for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Warren Platner Ottomans/Stools manufactured by Knoll Original velvet Upholstery
Stainless Steel
$17,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 68.5 in D 29.5 in
Warren Platner Bronze Wire Sofa for Knoll International, c 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An original Warren Platner for Knoll International sofa, designed in 1966 and produced in the late 1960s–1970s. Part of Platner’s iconic collection that transformed industrial steel rods into sculptural furniture forms, this rare loveseat / sofa features the elusive bronze wire frame, far less common than the nickel-plated versions, and no longer in production. The curved architectural silhouette is formed from hundreds of vertical steel rods, welded with horizontal rings to create a structure that is at once airy and monumental. The base is finished in the original bronze patina, lending warmth and depth that distinguishes it from later reproductions. Knoll ceased production of the Platner sofa...
Bronze
$2,740
H 17 in W 27 in D 27 in
Warren Platner 1705Y Easy Ottoman, Gray Leather and Nickel, Knoll, 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Warren Platner 1705Y Easy Ottoman, Gray Leather and Nickel, Knoll, 1966 Custom gray leather (original); original nickel finish. Ottoman retains original clear acrylic feet. The maste...
Stainless Steel, Nickel
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair and ottoman, model '1705', steel, fabric, United States, design ca. 1962, production later. This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is create...
Steel
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Black Upholstered Saddle Ottoman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century saddle ottoman with textured black upholstery. (MILO BAUGHMAN)(Pair available in yellow: DUF0344)
Upholstery
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 39 in W 41 in D 36 in
Warren Platner Bronze Wire Easy Chair for Knoll International, c 1966, Signed
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A collectors example early production Warren Platner 'Easy' chair for Knoll International, United States, circa 1966. This iconic high-back lounge chair, often affectionately referre...
Bronze
Armchair by Warren Platner for Knoll International, 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in bruxelles, BE
Armchair by Warren Platner in metal with green fabric. Knoll edition. Large model. Seat height: 49 cm. Wear due to time and age.
Metal
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Lounge Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Lounge Chair This chair measures: 36 wide x 27 deep x 30.5 high, with a seat height of 20 and arm height/chair clearance 26 inches All pieces o...
Metal, Chrome
Barcelona Ottoman by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Barcelona ottoman from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International c.1970s, USA. The ottoman has an X-shaped base with a polished chrome finish. The cushion features ...
Chrome
Barcelona Ottoman by Mies van der Rohe for Alivar
By Alivar, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Barcelona ottoman from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Alivar, Italy. The ottoman has an X-shaped base with a polished chrome finish. The cushion features a black leather tuf...
Chrome
$2,195
H 21.5 in Dm 16.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wire Stool by Warren Platner for Knoll C1970
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple yet elegant vanity stool by Warren Platner for Knoll c1970. Brand new cushion with all new foam in burnt orange color. Attached using velcro to lock in place. In excellent v...
Steel
Chartreuse Green Warren Platner Stool by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
High model stool from the 'Wire series' by American designer Warren Platner for Knoll International in nickel execution with a chartreuse green mohair velour Knoll fabrics upholstery...
Steel, Nickel
Warren Platner Large Ottoman / Stool in Blush Pink & Gold Velvet by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Nickel plated steel Warren Platner ottoman with a blush pink velvet gold lamé shimmer upholstery. This bespoke upholstery is executed from a high end premium fabric brand...
Steel, Nickel
Bronze 1970s Warren Platner Stool in Knoll Velvet Upholstery by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Bronze Warren Platner ottoman from the 1970s upholstered in a Knoll 'Velvet' (Mohair) upholstery. In the 1960s, American designer Warren Platner transformed steel wire into a sculptu...
Bronze, Steel
Sold
H 16.15 in Dm 25.99 in L 16.15 in
Bronze 1970s Warren Platner Stool in Knoll Velvet Upholstery by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Bronze Warren Platner ottoman from the 1970s upholstered in a Knoll 'Velvet' (Mohair) upholstery. In the 1960s, American designer Warren Platner transformed steel wire into a sculpt...
Bronze, Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair and Ottoman
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair 'model 1705' and ottoman, steel and brown fabric, United States, design 1966, production later. This iconic easy chair by Warren Platner is cr...
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair and Ottoman
By Warren Platner
Located in Stamford, CT
Warren Platner for Knoll easy chair and ottoman of nickel-plated steel and bright green wool upholstery. Seat height: 16". Ottoman: 24" diameter.
Steel
Warren Platner Oversized Ottoman by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Amarillo, TX
Warren Platner large ottoman Knoll International USA, 1966 upholstery, plated steel 30 dia x 18.5 h inches larger ottoman in Knoll Cato fabric, cof...
Wire Stool by Warren Platner for Knoll in Acid Velvet Suede
By Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Nickel finished steel rods with upholstery in an extraordinary and custom order Acid yellow Suede by 'Spinneybeck'. Matching tall lounge chair also available. Check our inventory.